Canon announces 10x stablised digicam lens

In
a surprise announcement Canon have revealed a 10x zoom lens (35 mm - 350
mm) for digital cameras with lens-shift optical image stabilisation. "The
lens's outstanding image performance and high 10x zoom ratio are made
possible through the introduction of a new mechanical structure, which
makes possible the precision movement of the correcting lens group, and
a new optical design compatible with high resolving capability."

This appears to be a lens structure for use in new digital cameras (remember,
Casio use a Canon lens on the QV-3000EX).. So now Canon are stomping on
Sony's ground (but with Canon quality lenses).

TOKYO, May 22, 2000-Canon Inc. announced today in Japan the development
of the industry's first ever digital camera-use 10x zoom lens equipped
with lens-shift optical image-stabilizing technology. The company will
use the lens unit in future Canon brand digital camera models and intends
to market it to other manufacturers.

Demand now is strong for digital cameras featuring high pixel counts
and equipped with high-performance, high zoom-ratio lenses. Generally
speaking, however, zoom lenses offering higher zoom ratios are more susceptible
to image blur caused by camera shake, increasing the expectation of zoom
lenses equipped with image stabilization capability.

Canon began research and development in the area of image stabilizing
technology early on, developing an optical image stabilizing system for
video camcorders employing a Variangle Prism in 1992, and using the shift
method in 1998. Both are featured in Canon-brand video camcorders. Furthermore,
in 1995 the company developed a shift-method optical image stabilizing
system for SLR cameras, which was incorporated into interchangeable lenses
for Canon's line-up of EOS model AF SLR cameras.

The new shift-method optical Image Stabilizer-equipped 10x zoom lens
adapts technology previously employed in video camcorders and SLR cameras
for use in digital cameras. The lens's outstanding image performance and
high 10x zoom ratio are made possible through the introduction of a new
mechanical structure, which makes possible the precision movement of the
correcting lens group, and a new optical design compatible with high resolving
capability.

Many of the video camcorders now available utilize an electronic means
of image stabilization, which results in degradation of image resolution
and changes in angle of view. Furthermore, such systems do not correct
for image shake when capturing still images. By contrast, Canon's newly
developed shift-method Image Stabilizer; which corrects for image shake
optically, results in absolutely no image resolution degradation or variations
in angle of view, and delivers effective image-stabilizing performance
during exposure for each and every still image that is captured.

Compared with image stabilizing technology using a Variangle prism,
the Canon optical lens-shift Image Stabilizer realizes a compact size
and a reduced number of components, which makes possible cost savings
and contributes to products that are compact and lightweight.

Canon, drawing on its experience and expertise in optical technology
as a leading camera manufacturer, will continue striving to develop digital
camera products offering even higher image quality and performance. The
company also intends to actively market this lens unit as a key device
to other digital camera manufacturers.